JLA #107 REVIEW
Ever since Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch left this series to make way for Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke, I have felt for a long period of time now, that the following issues after their departure have been lacklustre to say the least. Mark Waid followed on from Grant Morrison’s epic and awe inspiring run and for a number of years; the JLA was one of the forerunners in D.C’s assault on the Wizzard Top 100. It featured a wide-screen approach to the artwork - with immense detail and stunning splash shots - the storylines felt important and consequential and most importantly of all; there was some excellent characterisation of all the major players; even for the much often criticised Aquaman, who has been the subject of berated comment for many a year.
When Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke came aboard, the artwork did carry with it a cinema-esque feel and the storylines were in-depth and interesting, but it didn’t quite capture the quality of the previous runs and with Chuck Austen’s forgettable run, the JLA had become unrecognisable from a few years ago. So after a downward spiral in terms of quality, its time to see the JLA back in the running as the number one comic on the shelves. So with Kurt Busiek’s arrival, do we get an exhilarating first issue, with trademark characterisation and a traditional, classic feel to the storyline that he is so well noted for? Well, to be honest, no, not entirely anyway. Instead, we get an issue that promises a beginning, but that beginning only starts on the final page and before hand we have some unnecessary padding and a seemingly pointless story.
The issue begins with the Justice League’s attention firmly focused upon the energy readings of the egg Krona was trapped within, after the conclusion of JLA/Avengers. Meanwhile, the remaining Leaguers - The Martian Manhunter and The Flash - are left with tidying up and carrying out maintenance checks on the JLA Watchtower. Amongst the small chores and tasks to be carried out, they also have to concentrate on the Construct and its reforming consciousness, which is becoming a problem, as it keeps reforming faster each time it is dealt with.
Ron Garney continues to handle the pencilling chores after Chuck Austen’s departure and unfortunately, his artwork hasn’t improved from last issue. There’s an ill-defined look to his linework at times, especially regarding his portrayal of the two main protagonists and although he delivers the storytelling duties capably, the sketchy and rushed feel to the artwork doesn’t really lend itself to the modern tone of the story. The inconsistencies in approach to much of the artwork on show, detracts from the storyline itself, which needed some good visuals in order to add more gumption to the rather generic plotline on offer. There are a few noteworthy images though, from the Flash’s takedown of Powderkeg to a three panel shot of Flash’s boredom, but if it wasn’t for some lush coloring to add some depth to what’s on show, the artwork would be a big disappointment.
The plot line itself is rather generic and formulaic and lends itself to more traditional roots, which is obviously what Busiek’s been brought in for, but the storyline itself seems pointless to some extent in the context of what the title of this issue is pertaining to; a showdown with the Crime Syndicate of America. Instead, we get a rather padded first issue, where nothing much happens, other than some slight references to the danger of the Construct and a rather redundant appearance of the syndicate on the final page, as well as some plot elements from the JLA/Avengers crossover. I, for one, hope that the actual storyline regarding the Construct does have some reference further down the line, otherwise it only serves as a plot device for some, unfortunately, tedious and boring dialogue between the Flash and The Martian Manhunter at times.
Now the relationship dynamic between the Flash and the Martian Manhunter is a strong one, as both are opposites; the Flash is impatient, nervous, on edge and excitable and the Martian Manhunter is patient, methodical and on the whole, generally unemotional. So there’s scope for some nice dialogue at times between the two and on occasions we get some amusing moments and some funny situations, but on the whole, I felt I’d heard this sort of dialogue before and the characterisation of said characters comes across as incredibly cliché and stereotypical. We don’t get anything new from this that we haven’t heard at other times before and to be honest, I found it an effort to get through the entire issue.
The first issue of Busiek and Garney’s run was a disappointment, as Busiek prepares a slightly inaccessible and ponderous storyline, in the face of some rather mediocre artwork. Thankfully, the cliff-hanger ending adds some much needed excitement to the following issue, which I for one, hope Busiek really gets his teeth into.
Reviewer: James Groves, JamesandtheDragon@hotmail.com
Quick Rating: Average
Story Title: Syndicate Rules: Part One - Maintenance Day
Something begins here…just not sure what?
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Dan Green
Colorist: David Baron
Letterer: Jared H. Fletcher
Assistant Editor: Michael Siglain
Editor: Mike Carlin
